Jack Ross expects promotion in his first season as Sunderland manager – even if others see that as arrogant.

Since taking over at the Stadium of Light, new owner Stewart Donald and executive director Charlie Methven have warned the club must get its heads around third-tier status, but at the same time they are expected to punch their weight as the giants of the division.

The news that Uruguayan businessman Juan Sartori is seeking Football League permission to buy a minority stake will only raise hopes.

In his first day as Sunderland manager, Ross was happy to embrace the expectation.

Asked if his side had to win promotion in 2018-19, the 41-year-old replied: “The owners haven’t said that but for me, yes.

“If you go through any old interviews of mine, I’ve always been very clear about having ambitions and goals. When you do that, you’re sometimes perceived as being arrogant and when you don’t reach them, people take great delight in telling you that you’ve failed.

“It’s going to be a challenge and a lot of work to be done in a short time. It’s going to be a tough league but it’s got to be like that and not just for me, but for everyone involved in the football side. They’ve got to have that drive.”

Ross was the Scottish Football Association’s manager of the year last season after guiding St Mirren to the Scottish Championship. English Championship club Ipswich Town (as well as Barnsley, who were relegated with Sunderland) spoke to Ross about their vacancy.

“There were probably opportunities before the summer where I could have left St Mirren but I never really felt as if they were the right ones for me,” said Ross. “This certainly does and I’m excited by it.

“I spoke to Marcus (Evans, Ipswich’s chairman) and really enjoyed the discussions I had with him but during that period this opportunity presented itself.

“Stewart and Charlie were relentless in their belief that I was a good fit for them. They were really keen for me to buy into what they wanted to do.

New Sunderland manager Jack Ross (Image: Sunderland AFC)

“I think the new ownership was the key point. There was a bit of synergy with the job I left, it’s similar circumstances. When you have that, I think you have an opportunity to really put your own stamp on what you can control. That made it opportune for me although I’d prefer it if the club wasn’t in League One.

“Equally I also have that clear belief that this club can be part of an upward journey.”

Bigger names than Ross have failed to turn Sunderland around, but he does not lack self-confidence.

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“I’m aware of some of the high-profile names that have done the job,” he commented. “But in contrast to playing, management feels like the right fit for me. It’s my job, I know that sounds a bit emotionless but I view it very much as my profession and the only thing I can affect is what happens in the future.

“I can never affect what’s happened. If I looked at what’s gone before, I’d think, ‘Wow, there’s been some big managers who’ve been here before and haven’t managed to get it to work.’ I’m only interested in what lies ahead.”

One thing he will have to get up to speed quickly on is League One. His only first-hand experience came in an injury-hit 2004-05 as a Hartlepool United defender.

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“In the last couple of years I have immersed myself in the Scottish Championship,” he admitted. “I haven’t seen that many of the Scottish Premiership games, not because there was no need, but because I needed to have as much understanding about the opposition and understanding of how I build a squad to win that league.

“I have to learn that as quickly as I can. If you back yourself, you can do it. There is a huge amount of information out there.”